Device for handling packages in stores



- (No Model.)

R. P. ADAMS.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES IN STORES.

No. 544,555. Patented Aug. 13,1895.

mmmmmm 1 UNrrnn STATES.

PATENT fission),-

ROBERT PEYTON ADAMS, OF LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING PACKAGES IN STORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,555, dated August13, 1895.

Application filed May 22,1895- serial No. 550,199- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ROBERT PEYTON ADAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lexington, in the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices forHandling Packages in Stores; and I do hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to a portable hand operating device for placingpackages on high shelves in stores and removing them therefrom; and itconsists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangementsof parts, as will be hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a side elevation of my package-handling device and also of aportion of a shelf and a can, the latter being grasped by thepackagehandling device and in a condition to be removed from the shelf.Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the can-handlingdevice, a can being shown in the dotted lines and the closed position ofthe movable jaw also being shown in dotted lines; and Fig. 3 is a rearView of the package-handling de vice, portions of the handle beingbroken away.

A in the drawings represents a suitable operating-rod, which is providedwith a handhold a, and is made of suitable length to reach to thehighest shelf in a store.

B represents a rigid jaw, which is secured at the upper end of therod,.and which, when the device is to be used for handling cans or othercylindrical packages, would be of outwardly-curved form with its outerend preferably turned slightly outward.

0 represents a clampingjaw, approximately the same shape as the jaw B,and which is pivoted at c to the upper end of the operating-rod. Acoil-spring D is interposed between the operating-rod and the rear endof the pivoted jaw and has its ends secured to the same, the outwardpressure of the spring tending to keep the jaw normally closed.

E represents an angular lever, which is pivoted on the operating-rod ata point near the hand-hold, so that the hand-hold can be held in onehand and the lever operated by by the thumb of the same hand. A cord Fpasses through guiding-eyes f and connects the upper end of the angularlever and the rear end of the pivoted jaw.

G represents a flat narrow plate, which has its outer end beveled orsharp to facilitate its being passed under a can or other package whenit .is desired to remove it from a shelf andprevents the package fromslipping down between the jaws.

The operation of the device is very simple. When it'is desired to removea can or other package from a shelf, the operator holds or grasps therod in one hand and with his thumb bears down on the lever, whichspreads the pivot-jaw and enables the jaws to inclose the object to behandled, the flat bottom plate having been simultaneously slipped underthe bottom of the can, and by removing the thumb the pivoted jaw willclose upon and firmly grasp the can. a

My package-handling device will be found much more convenient thansimilar devices which require two hands to operate them, and which haverigid connection attached to the pivoted jaw .which has to be forcedupward in order to spread said jaw, and also more practicable anddesirable than such a device, the jaws of which are normally open, andalso more desirable than a device which only clamps the parcel on thetop and bottom. a

What I claim as my invention is- A portable hand operated device forremoving a package from a shelf comprising in its construction anoperating rod of suitable length and shape, an approximately semicircular jaw rigidly secured to the upper end of the rod at right anglesthereto, another 95 approximately semi circular jaw pivotally secured tothe upper end of the rod at right angles thereto and having a rearextension,

a horizontally arranged coiled spring conat a suitable point below thejaws, substannected by its respective ends to the rod and tially asdescribed. IO to the pivoted jaw at a. point in rear of its In testimonywhereof I hereunto affix my pivot, an angular lever pivoted on the rod,a signature in presence of two Witnesses.

5 cord passed through guiding'eyes on the rod ROBERT PEYTON ADAMS.

and secured to the lever and to the exten- W'itnesses: sion of thepivoted jaw, and a flat horizontal F. 'l. BARTLETT,

immovable bottom plate secured to the rod CHAS. P. ROGERS.

